The Weariness of Intellectualism

July 24, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 1:12–18

Each year the rankings come out. The US News and World Report lists the best universities and colleges. It even ranks the best Michigan high schools (by the way, in 2022, Novi is #7 and Northville #8). People then flock to these rankings to see where their alma mater sits (for personal validation) or to consider what school their child should attend.

Here in the United States of America, we place a high value on education. But to what end? We fret about GPAs, honor societies, and test scores. In and of themselves, none of these things are bad. But ultimately, what is our pursuit of education seeking to accomplish? Is it wisdom? And if so, is this where we find wisdom in its highest concentration?

More from Ecclesiastes: From Illusion to Reality

The Hopelessness of Nihilism

September 4, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 12

It used to be junk mail. Now it’s spam. We’re talking about the daily detritus that floats into your postal box or email inbox that you don’t want, didn’t ask for, and has no value for your life. So we’ve developed the habit of purging without even looking. But in a rush to discard all the dross, something important might get tossed. As our summer series in Ecclesiastes closes, we discover that not everything is meaningless. Indeed, there is something significant for us to hold on to as the Teacher winds down his reflections.

The Striving of Productivism

August 28, 2022 • Adam Mashni • Ecclesiastes 3:1–11

Have you ever opened the app store for your preferred computer or phone platform and looked for productivity apps? You probably didn’t have to look far! There are dozens of calendars, to-do lists, time blockers, habit trackers, note takers, mind mappers, text editors, file organizers, and focus tools. All pledge to make you more efficient, productive, and valuable. But is that an empty promise? In this week’s passage of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher tells us there’s a time for productivity. But a deeper look reveals a profound truth about all of our work under the sun.

The Pressure of Perfectionism

August 21, 2022 • Charlie Koopman • Ecclesiastes 11:1–8

Once considered a positive trait, perfectionism is on the rise in our culture. Unsurprisingly, anxiety, fear, and depression are at an all-time high. Despite what is on display in so many curated Instagram feeds, being flawless is an unrealistic goal, an illusion driven by the need to manage every aspect of our lives tightly. Again this week, we look through the lens of the "Teacher" in Ecclesiastes to wrestle with the question: Can I ever really have control of my life?